So, you want to find the latest addition to your family a good home, but where do you begin? Finding the right aircraft management company for your new plane can be daunting. But fear not; the industry has standards that should guide you in your decision. Keep the following pointers in mind when vetting management companies and you’ll find one that will treat your latest acquisition with the care and attention it fully deserves.
Professional and Efficient Fleet Maintenance
Safety should be the number priority of any aircraft management company. Adhering to a safety-first line of doing business means having experienced and professional airplane service mechanics on staff. Planes undergo a regular schedule of maintenance procedures and system updates.
This also means your aircraft must be clean, fully-stocked and fueled, airworthy and ready to take off at a moment’s notice. The aircraft management company you choose should also be knowledgeable about and meet all required security measures as set by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), the EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency), and other international aviation regulatory bodies.
Human Resources
Aircraft management services include the selection of a qualified and well-trained flight crew. They are expected to handle all aspects of their professional training, certification and continued skill improvement, as well as any and all medical and taxation issues.
Base and Flight Operations
Make sure the charter flight company you consider has extensive knowledge and experience concerning all aspects of aircraft management operations. Base operations include negotiating fuel contracts, billing, reviewing airfield as well as flight route and arranging for catering, ground transport and accommodations.
Flight operations include ensuring the availability and use of updated navigational charts, filing flight plans and securing slot requests, and monitoring the progress of all flights, including schedule changes and accommodations updates.
In a competitive market, aircraft management companies add a number of perks and privileges to entice clients. By all means, shop around and don’t sign a contract until you are fully satisfied with all their terms and lease offerings. At the very least, they should participate in the best practices forwarded by the industry. At best, they should be able to give the latest addition to your family a good home indeed.
